New employment and careers digital support for citizens 

 

The Department for Work and Pensions’ employment and careers digital support for citizens has now gone live. The tools aim to support people to explore careers options, search for work and prepare for job applications, and can be found on GOV.UK.  

These include a new Find a Job service, a CV Builder, an Action Planning Tool and an AI Work Assistant, supporting people at different stages of their employment journey. The tools offer a more joined up job search experience and provide personalised support.  

They are designed to complement the valuable support provided by partner organisations and advisers. 

Forces Cars Direct: April July Offers – Save on Your Next Vehicle

Explore our July offers with your exclusive discounts, including the new Toyota bZ4X Touring with saving of £18,253 and the new design of the Cupra Born with an equally impressive £10,426 off.

To view all of this month’s offers, please visit the link below: https://www.forcescarsdirect.com/special-offers/monthly-offers

Serve & Protect Credit Union: 4% Fixed-Rate Saver - Available in July 2026

Serve and Protect Credit Union are pleased to announce a their latest Fixed-Rate Savings Account.

It’s free to join the credit union and members can open a fixed-rate savings account and lock in a guaranteed rate of 4% AER.

Key details:

✅ 4% AER fixed for 12 months

✅ Balances between £1,000-£10,000

✅No fees or charges

✅Available between 1st to 29th July 2026

If you’d like to learn more about eligibility, terms, or how the account works, please visit: Fixed Rate Savings Account | Serve and Protect Credit Union

For any questions, please contact Serve and Protect Credit Union

Gibraltar: Fireside Chat with Tom Farley 29th June

The Gibraltar Government Department of Justice Trade and Industry has issued a press release inviting young people to attend an event.

To register: www.startupgrind.com/gibraltar

One of Minister Feetham’s key priorities has been creating opportunities for young people. Great speakers can change the way young people view their future. Tom Farley is one of those speakers.

During his tenure at the NYSE, Tom oversaw the world’s largest stock exchange. Since then, he has remained at the forefront of financial innovation and digital assets, earning recognition as one of the most influential figures in global financial services.

This is a rare opportunity for young people to hear directly from someone who has operated at the highest levels of international business and finance and who continues to help shape the future of global markets.

MOD’s Families Hub is now in its second year – have you used it yet?

 

Discover My Benefits - Families

AFCFT ‘Supporting Partners Programme’ opens for applications, closes 23rd Sept with notification by end of Nov

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) are pleased to let you know that the Supporting Partners programme under the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund is now open and ready to welcome new applications!

What’s the programme all about?

Since 2023, the Trust have awarded over £2.5m on behalf of the MOD to 45 projects under the Armed Forces Families Fund: Supporting Partners programme which seeks to provide support and solutions to help partners of serving personnel navigate the challenges of service life.

Planning to register and claim for the UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) from September? Living in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? Volunteers needed for the user testing

Planning to register and claim for the UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) from September? The childcare team are asking for volunteers to take part in user testing and provide feedback on some of the products required to register and claim the UKNA reimbursement.

If you haven’t heard about UKNA, read the announcement from March 2026:
Transformative new childcare support will save Defence families up to £6000 a year - GOV.UK

Criteria for taking part in the testing:

• Service personnel (SP) must be Regular or FTRS (FC)
• SP with children aged 9 months to 2 years old living in Scotland or Wales, and SP with children aged 9 months to 4 years old living in Northern Ireland.
• SP that are currently paying for childcare at a registered childcare provider.
• SP that use a Tax-Free Childcare account to pay their provider.
• SP that have sufficient time available to test the product and provide feedback to the team.

User testing will take place between now and September.

If you fit the criteria and would like to take part in the user testing, please contact the Defence childcare team at people-affs-child-expenses@mod.gov.uk

Motorfinity - June Newsletter

Save Thousands on Your Next New Car with Motorfinity

Motorfinity offers exclusive discounts on brand-new cars for NHS workers, emergency services personnel, social care workers, education staff, and armed forces personnel.

With average savings of around £7,400, eligible staff can access significant savings across a wide range of manufacturers, with no impact on salary or benefits. Plus, access family discounts with participating manufacturers.

Contact our friendly team today to find out how much you could save. https://www.motorfinity.uk/?source=outreach&utm_source=outreach&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=june

Are Electric Cars the Future?

As electric vehicles continue to grow in popularity, more drivers are considering making the switch. Our latest article explores the future of EVs, their benefits, and what motorists should know before choosing an electric car. Read more: https://www.motorfinity.uk/blog/are-electric-cars-the-future/?source=outreach&utm_source=outreach&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=june

Motorfinity CEO on the Working Well Beings Podcast

Motorfinity CEO and Co-Founder, Daniel Briggs, recently joined the Working Well Beings Podcast to discuss financial wellbeing, employee benefits, and how organisations can better support frontline workers.

The conversation covers financial stress, workplace wellbeing, and how Motorfinity helps eligible staff make significant savings on new cars. Watch the episode: https://youtu.be/CwVwnwXNtuI?si=eKvMSxZXlp1gx7IC

BELGIUM: Claim your VAT back from UK Amazon orders to the BFPO address

 

Did you know that you can claim back your VAT from UK Amazon orders that have been delivered to the Belgium BFPO 26 address?

To claim back your VAT you need to email vat-refund-requests@amazon.co.uk.

Below is a basic draft email for you to copy and edit. Once you’ve written your email, you need to send it to: vat-refund-requests@amazon.co.uk to claim back your VAT from UK Amazon orders to the BFPO address. 

BELGIUM: LOA Rates Survey, open now. Closing date June 13th 2026

Local Overseas Allowance (LOA) is not a bonus for overseas service. It's a financial contribution to address the price differences in necessary day-to-day living and help cover additional costs when you're assigned or deployed overseas at public expense. It recognises the amount by which average essential daily expenditure in an overseas location differs from that in the UK.

 

A full review of LOA is currently underway so this is your chance to have your say about the value of this allowance and how it affects your overseas posting.

The survey is in support of the Local Overseas Allowance (LOA) and the results could have a direct impact on LOA rates, so it is in the interests of all SP serving abroad to complete; there is a section relevant to family members too.

Complete the Survey HERE

The deadline is 13 June 2026.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Defence Update on Long-term relationships: Closing the gap on allowances

If you’re in a long-term relationship, a range of allowances and support are now available to you – the same as your married or civil-partnered colleagues.

What’s changed?

Many allowances were only available to Service Personnel who were married or in a civil partnership. That wasn’t fair – not everyone wants to get married, even when they’re in a committed relationship.

From 1 May 2026, if you are in a Long-Term Relationship (Established) – known as an LTR(E) – you can claim allowances and provisions that were previously unavailable to you, just like your married colleagues.

SHAPE: Belgian Tax Letters Update

Belgian Tax Letters have been sent out, so please check your mailbox for one. If you, your spouse, your child aged 18+ have received one letter, please use the following guidelines so they can be returned and dealt with on time to avoid any fine.

 

• You will need to complete the French Version of Annex 1, “IPP – Declaration NMR.fr.docx”, these can be collected from the Community Office.

• The Service Personnel/ UKBC should complete the form, and sign it, with the Dependents (over 18 years old) details added in Box B as starred in the English copy below.

• 

• Once you have signed and dated it, take a copy of annex 1 and the tax letter, to the HNLO/CLO Office by no later 14 June.

• The form will be countersigned by the NMR’ s office and released to the BEL NMR for onward action.

• Any question do not hesitate to contact HNLO for assistance : Nadia.ElHamdi329@mod.gov.uk

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Brunssum: BSN needed for NATO employees' Bank accounts

Message from ABN AMRO Bank

We would like to inform you that in the coming period, we will be reaching out to customers who currently do not comply with the BSN obligation that has been in effect for all customers since January 7th of this year. In this communication, customers will be asked to provide their BSN after all.

What does the BSN obligation entail?
As of January 7, 2025, we are legally required to register a verified Citizen Service Number (BSN) for all customers in our systems.
This means that no exceptions can be made for providing a BSN.
It is important to emphasize that holding a BSN is independent of being a tax resident (taxpayer) in the Netherlands.

As an employee of an international organization, they are not registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP), but customers can obtain a Citizen Service Number (BSN) via PROBAS (for diplomats) or through the Non-residents Registration (RNI).

The BSN received through PROBAS or the RNI can be submitted via the app or Internet Banking under Personal Details.
If the customer is unable to do this digitally, they can contact our Customer Care representatives at 0900-0024 or, from abroad, at +31 (0)10 241 17 20.

What does this mean for the onboarding of new customers?
Submitting and verifying a valid BSN is mandatory during the onboarding process.
If the BSN is not immediately available, the customer must provide it no later than 120 days after onboarding. Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us using the below details:

ABN AMRO Bank
Internet: www.abnamro.nl/en
Mob: +31 (0) 6 30325603 or Tel: +31 (0) 20 3434002
Visiting address: Vestdijk 18, 5611 CC, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Post address: Vestdijk 18, 5611 CC, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Brunssum: Opening a Bank Account in the Netherlands for Internationals

 

There will be many factors that influence your decision when looking to open a Dutch bank account, from the bank’s accessibility in English to special features.

For information on what to consider when choosing a bank account; online accounts, traditional banks and pros and cons for each, visit:

https://dutchreview.com/expat/best-banks-expats-netherlands/

If you're looking for some banking options the below are available in the Netherlands:

• ABN AMRO
• Bunq
• ING
• N26
• Revolut

For those with an ABN AMRO bank account please note: if you do not open your bank account as instructed below you maybe liable to pay Dutch tax.

Brunssum: Claim your VAT back from UK Amazon orders to the BFPO address

Did you know that you can claim back your VAT from UK Amazon orders that have been delivered to the Brunssum BFPO 28 address?

To claim back your VAT you need to email vat-refund-requests@amazon.co.uk.

Below is a basic draft email for you to copy and edit. Once you’ve written your email, you need to send it to: vat-refund-requests@amazon.co.uk to claim back your VAT from UK Amazon orders to the BFPO address. 

Wifinity Armed Forces Offers: eSIM for travel and deployment.

The current MOD offers from Wifinity include:

Low cost eSIM for deployment and travel - Wifinity | Explore our low cost eSIM plans

• Cheapest options on the market for MOD personnel and families going abroad
• 10% discount for MOD personnel and families using code HIVE10
• 20% discount for existing Wifinity customers. Customers can log into their ‘My Account’ to get their code

Serve & Protect Credit Union: Resources to improve financial wellbeing

Employees can now access a new Fixed Saver through Serve and Protect.
Key points:Fixed interest rate of 4% AER/gross
Guaranteed return after 12 months
FSCS protection up to £120,000🔗 Take a look and decide if it's right for you here: sandpcu.co.uk/fs12

Upcoming webinars:

Our free weekly webinars help to manage money with confidence. With tips to save smarter, boost your credit score, and prepare for emergencies.

Click here to find out more: Webinars - Serve & Protect

Quick Links & Resources

Financial Tools:

Budget Planner 🔗
Savings Calculator 🔗
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Benefits Calculator 🔗

Our Services:

Savings Accounts 🔗
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BRUNEI: Claim your VAT back from UK Amazon orders to BFPO 11

Did you know that you can claim back your VAT from UK Amazon orders that have been delivered to Brunei BFPO 11?

To claim back your VAT you need to email vat-refund-requests@amazon.co.uk.

Below is a basic draft email for you to copy and edit. Once you’ve written your email, you need to send it to: vat-refund-requests@amazon.co.uk to claim back your VAT from UK Amazon orders to the BFPO address. 

Gov.UK Armed Forces Pensions Update: Pension Scams

The over-arching link for all Armed Forces Pensions information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans

Link to Pension Scams

Steps to stay scam safe

BRUNEI: Sold a property recently? You may be exempt from Capital Gains tax if you are eligible for Private Residence Relief....

How the relief works
You would normally have to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on any gain you make if you dispose (sell) of:

 

* a dwelling house (which can include a house, flat, houseboat or fixed caravan) which is your home
* part of a dwelling house which is your home
* part of the garden attached to your home

However, you’ll be entitled to full relief where all the following conditions are met:

* The dwelling house has been your only or main residence throughout your period of ownership
you have not been absent, other than for an allowed period of absence or because you have been living in job-related accommodation, during your period of ownership (ie. living in SFA) 

* The garden or grounds including the buildings on them are not greater than the permitted area

* No part of your home has been used exclusively for business purposes during your period of ownership. Working from home using a room that is also used for non-business purposes will not prevent entitlement to full relief. 

To find out more about Private Residence Relief from HMRC and if you can claim on your tax return click here. 

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.